How Transferable Experience Powers Tech Careers

Turning to Tech: Alicia Osinibi’s Journey from Teaching to Cybersecurity

In the latest #TurntoTech episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions, Nadia welcomes Alicia Osinibi, Cybersecurity and Identity Services Control Officer, to share her story of transitioning into a career in digital. This conversation forms part of the Turn to Tech podcast, a 12-part mini-series powered by FinTech’s DEI Discussions in collaboration with the City of London’s Women Pivoting to Digital Taskforce. The aim of the series is to spotlight the journeys of women who have moved from non-technical backgrounds into technology roles, offering both inspiration and practical advice.

Alicia’s journey demonstrates how transferable skills, resilience, and community support can shape an entirely new career. Having worked for 14 years as a mathematics teacher and a specialist in Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) education, she made the decision to pivot into cybersecurity. In her role today, she is responsible for protecting systems, managing digital identities, and ensuring the security of services within her organisation.

The conversation with Nadia shines a light on her personal story, the challenges she faced, and the resources that enabled her to succeed. For candidates exploring FinTech jobs or employers considering how to expand their hiring strategies, Alicia’s reflections are filled with lessons about transferable skills, adaptability, and the importance of supportive networks.

From Teaching to FinTech: A Journey into Cybersecurity

When Nadia asked Alicia about her background and how she came to technology, Alicia explained that her career began in teaching. For over a decade, she worked as a mathematics teacher, with a particular focus on SEMH education. Teaching was a role that required patience, clarity, and the ability to adapt constantly.

After returning from her third maternity leave, Alicia decided she wanted a new challenge. It was at this point that cybersecurity began to capture her interest. She described her attraction to the field as rooted in her enjoyment of problem-solving and logical thinking, skills she had always valued in her teaching career.

At first, she was uncertain about making the leap. She did not have a computer science degree, nor did she have years of technical training behind her. However, as she began researching and discovering the stories of other women who had successfully transitioned into digital roles, she realised that her own skills could be just as valuable. This gave her the confidence to pursue a new career in cybersecurity.

Transferable Skills in Technology Careers

One of the strongest themes in Alicia’s story is the importance of transferable skills. She began her digital career within the culture and education awareness team at National Highways. This position enabled her to draw directly on her teaching background.

She explained to Nadia that she was responsible for developing PowerPoint presentations for senior leadership and translating complex cybersecurity concepts into accessible language. These skills were directly parallel to her work in the classroom, where she had spent years finding ways to make mathematics understandable to her students.

Over time, Alicia expanded her expertise, achieving certifications and moving into her current role as a Cybersecurity and Identity Services Control Officer. The journey has not always been easy, she emphasised that it has been a steep learning curve, but it has also been rewarding.

Alicia outlined the skills that continue to support her in this role: clear communication, problem-solving, stakeholder engagement, and adaptability. These qualities, sharpened during her years in teaching, are now applied in the context of managing security and digital identities.

Communication, Problem-Solving, and Stakeholder Engagement

Alicia gave specific examples of how her teaching skills map directly onto her work in cybersecurity. Communication is vital, whether it involves explaining technical issues to colleagues or presenting findings to leadership. As a teacher, she had already mastered the ability to break down complex topics into clear explanations, a skill that remains essential in cybersecurity.

Problem-solving is another constant thread between her old career and her new one. Where once she solved classroom challenges, she now addresses technical and security-related issues. Stakeholder engagement, which in teaching meant working with parents, headteachers, and department leaders, now involves collaborating across digital teams.

Adaptability has also proved crucial. Alicia explained that moving into a new career required her to learn quickly, ask questions, and remain open to feedback. This adaptability allowed her to build confidence and to progress steadily in her role.

Encouraging Others to Recognise Their Skills

Throughout the conversation, Alicia reflected on how many of her peers underestimate their potential to move into technology. She described conversations with women in her circle who often ask how she managed the transition, while insisting that they could never do the same.

Alicia, however, sees in them many of the qualities required to succeed. Analytical thinking, presentation skills, organisation, and attention to detail are all attributes that map onto digital roles. She emphasised that even simple abilities, such as being methodical or detail-oriented, are highly valuable in project management or cybersecurity.

She pointed out that confidence grows over time. What matters most at the start is curiosity and a willingness to learn. These are the qualities that prepare someone for success in digital roles.

Networks, Mentorship, and Continuous Learning

Alicia also shared the practical steps she took to begin her career in cybersecurity. She started with research, simply asking the question: what is cybersecurity? This led her to online courses, which suited her circumstances as a parent managing family responsibilities. The flexibility of virtual learning allowed her to progress at her own pace and eventually achieve recognised certifications.

Equally important was her involvement in professional networks. She joined communities such as Women in Cybersecurity and attended webinars. These groups connected her with people who had made similar transitions and allowed her to hear their stories. The encouragement she received from these networks gave her the belief that she could succeed in her own journey.

Mentorship was another critical factor. Alicia acknowledged that during her studies and early career moves, there were moments of doubt. Technical material sometimes seemed overwhelming. Having a mentor who could offer encouragement and explain concepts in more accessible ways provided the motivation she needed to continue. With this support, challenges that once seemed insurmountable became manageable, and she was able to build her confidence further.

Her advice to others is straightforward: start small, continue learning, and surround yourself with a supportive community.

The Role of Businesses in Supporting Digital Transitions

While Alicia placed emphasis on the role of individual effort, she also highlighted the responsibility that organisations have in enabling successful career pivots. Flexibility, she said, is crucial. Remote or hybrid working arrangements make it possible for women balancing other responsibilities to consider technology careers.

She described her own experience positively, noting that she works in an organisation that values work-life balance, supports learning, and provides a safe environment to ask questions. This culture of support has enabled her to thrive in a field that was once completely new to her.

For organisations more broadly, Alicia stressed that those who nurture talent from non-traditional backgrounds will benefit from resilient, skilled professionals who bring new perspectives to digital roles. Recognising and investing in transferable skills is not only good for individuals but also strengthens businesses by diversifying their talent base.

Sharing Stories and Inspiring Others

Towards the end of the conversation, Nadia reflected on the full circle of Alicia’s journey. Alicia was first inspired by the stories of other women who had turned to technology. Those stories gave her the confidence to begin her own transition. Now, by sharing her experience on FinTech’s DEI Discussions, Alicia is inspiring the next generation of women to consider digital careers.

This act of paying it forward is central to the mission of the Turn to Tech series. By spotlighting real journeys, the podcast aims to demystify technology careers and provide examples of how non-technical professionals can succeed in digital spaces. It demonstrates that while the journey can be steep, it is also achievable and rewarding.

Conclusion: Lessons from Alicia Osinibi’s Story 

The episode with Alicia Osinibi, Cybersecurity and Identity Services Control Officer, hosted by Nadia, offers a detailed account of how one individual successfully pivoted into a digital career. Her path from teaching to cybersecurity shows the power of transferable skills, the importance of networks and mentorship, and the role of flexible, supportive organisations in enabling new opportunities.

Alicia’s reflections reinforce a simple but powerful message: curiosity, adaptability, and community are as valuable as technical expertise in building a successful digital career. For those contemplating their own move into technology, her story is proof that it is possible. For organisations seeking to build diverse and resilient digital teams, it is a reminder of the talent that exists beyond traditional pathways.

FinTech’s DEI Discussions continues to spotlight voices like Alicia’s, building momentum for a more inclusive digital workforce. By listening, learning, and sharing these stories, we can help more professionals turn to tech, shaping a future that is both innovative and diverse.